University officials had something to cheer about after five students from Fairfield’s class of 2006 received Fulbright Scholarships.
Fairfield received another pat on the back because the five scholarships represent the largest number awarded nationally to students from a university with a master’s degree program.
This is the second time in three years Fairfield has received this honor.
In total, since 1993, 39 Fairfield graduates have received Fulbright awards.
Miriam Gogol, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, called the Fulbright Scholarships a “wonderful educational opportunity for the students.”
“These awards allow our students to learn how to write grants, how to do international research and, most importantly, to have an academically serious post-baccalaureate experience abroad,” she said.
Gogal then added, “Fairfield students should be proud of this honor. This is a great experience for them and it’s just the beginning.”
The five recipients are Alexis Cedeno, Jessica Martin, Annie McKittrick, Vivian E. Rodriguez and Laura Woelflein.
They are currently in the United Arab Emirates, China, Canada, Thailand and Germany, respectively.
Second to Fairfield, the University of Portland received four Fulbrights.
Hunter College in New York, Villanova University and Rochester Institute of Technology received three Fulbrights each.
Rodriguez said that the application process was tedious, but “Dean Gogol and the other committee advisors were there every week helping me revise my essays and perfect my application. Without them and especially without the assistance of Benedetta Maguire … I would not have been able to do this and succeed in receiving the scholarship,” she said
Gogol agreed, calling the application process “carefully orchestrated.”
“The students work closely with me and with faculty,” she said. “We, in effect, become mentors, helping the students find the resources they need.”
Rodriguez is in Phitsanulok, Thailand on her Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship scholarship.
After traveling with family and studying abroad in Florence the spring of her junior year, she knew she wanted to go abroad after graduation.
Rodriguez is currently teaching 600 10th-graders conversational English.
“Every day I am faced with many challenges and am really becoming assimilated within the culture. The language is difficult but I’m learning, and the Thai people are always willing to help,” Rodriguez said. “I knew it would pose a challenge physically, emotionally and intellectually. This has all proved to be true, and I am really enjoying myself.”
Martin is currently adjusting to life in Beijing and said her weekends have been “busy.” She recently went to a Chinese Politics class given in English.
“It is part of a master’s in [the] Contemporary China Studies program that my affiliated university just began to offer, and I plan on sitting in on the Chinese Foreign Policy class in November,” Martin said.
“On the weekends I’ve been busying getting plugged into various environmental events held by the Beijing Municipal government and various organizations,” she said.
She then added, “I’ve also visited Global Village of Beijing (GVB), the NGO I plan to intern with, several times already for an environmental journalist forum and a volunteer workshop on starting a campaign to promote the use of CFL light bulbs in China. I met a girl who is an environmental science major, and in the next month I plan on talking to her and her school mates about their studies and future goals as well as contact some of the international ENGOs to get a feel for their capabilities and projects in China.”
University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx applauded the five scholarship recipients.
“These outstanding graduates are to be commended for their academic achievements and for reaching beyond their comfort zones,” he said. “They bring honor to their university and the faculty on our Fulbright Committee who guided them.”
The Fulbright Program awards educational grants to students, scholars, teachers and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching and teaching in elementary and secondary schools abroad.
Founded by former Sen. J. William Fulbright, the program aims to develop a shared understanding between Americans and people from other nations.
It is the most prestigious international scholarship and is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
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